Savannah Guthrie Set to Host Wordle Game Show After Family Tragedy Delays Production

TL;DR: Savannah Guthrie will host a Wordle‑based TV game show after a production pause caused by her mother’s disappearance; filming begins June 2023 with a 2027 U.S. prime‑time debut.

Context The New York Times announced that its viral five‑letter word puzzle, Wordle, will move to primetime television. The half‑hour series will be produced by Jimmy Fallon’s Electric Hot Dog company, co‑produced by NBCUniversal’s Universal Television Alternative Studio, and co‑produced by the Times itself. Filming is scheduled for Manchester, England.

Key Facts - Savannah Guthrie, co‑anchor of NBC’s *Today* show, will host the series. This marks her first major on‑screen project since returning to *Today* in April after a two‑month leave following her mother’s disappearance. - The project was originally slated to shoot in March 2023, but production was halted when Guthrie took leave after her 84‑year‑old mother, Nancy Guthrie, vanished from her Arizona home on 1 February. Authorities suspect kidnapping. - NBC, Fallon’s production company, and the Times postponed the show to support Guthrie during the family crisis. Guthrie publicly thanked the partners for waiting. - Filming will commence in June 2023, with a planned U.S. prime‑time launch in 2027. Episodes will feature contestants solving Wordle puzzles for cash prizes. - The Times highlighted the venture as its first prime‑time partnership with a major broadcaster, expanding beyond its usual documentary collaborations.

What It Means The revival of the Wordle show signals a growing trend of digital games crossing into traditional broadcast formats. By anchoring the series, Guthrie brings journalistic credibility and a personal connection to the game, which she has described as a bonding activity with her missing mother. The delayed timeline gives producers ample runway to refine the format and secure a 2027 slot, a rare long‑lead for a game show. Viewers can expect a blend of puzzle‑solving tension and celebrity‑driven entertainment, while the industry watches how a newspaper‑owned brand performs in primetime.

Looking ahead, the show's development will be tracked for casting updates, format tweaks, and how the series positions itself against established quiz programs when it finally airs in 2027.